three day getaway

Every time we get a three day weekend, I consistently forget about it.  It isn't until the Friday right before that I say, "Oh! No work Monday!" and then quickly remember that we have absolutely nothing planned.
Luckily about a week before Labor Day, I remembered!  This is probably due to the fact that Labor Day = the end of summer and therefore also = almost boot season, so apparently in my world that makes the holiday a little more significant.  Regardless, I quickly texted Matt's sister Kristin, who lives in Denver, and asked them what they were doing next weekend.  Like our typical story, they had nothing.  But now they had a very excited aunt and uncle arriving to play with their cute kids.

On Friday after work we were on the road to Denver.  The drive really wasn't bad at all -- with a little bit of traffic and quite a bit of construction, we still made it there in less than 8 hours.
We had the best weekend staying up late talking with Dan and Kristin, playing with our sweet nieces and baby nephew, and enjoying Colorado -- as well as all the Texas things it had to offer!

On Saturday we made the trip to Colorado Springs, because just had to go to Rudy's, a bar-b-q place that we love from Texas.  We were beyond excited to hear it was in Colorado, and knew it would be worth the trip from Denver even if it included traffic from the Air Force football game.  And oh, but it was divine. We were in Heaven.  

After that we spent a little time at Garden of the Gods, and then went back home to enjoy multiple flavors of Blue Bell ice cream, also another Texas favorite that transplanted to Colorado.  I had to talk myself out of eating it every morning for breakfast, since I knew the kids would want to do the same.  

After a little scolding from my 4-year-old niece, Sofia, for eating ice cream in the living room and not at the table, I sat down to eat with her and she said, "Hey, look at him," pointing across the room to Matt.  "What about him?" I asked.  "He's pretty cute!" You guys.  There is nothing better.

"Aunt Taylor, can I play with your phone?!"

On Sunday the girls dressed for church in their flower girl dresses from our wedding.  We also all painted our nails plum the night before so they would match their dresses.  Bria asked, "Aunt Taylor, did you bring your wedding dress to wear too??"  After much-needed naps following church, we went and walked around downtown Denver and Taste of Colorado.  We loved all the pretty buildings and architecture!

Our last day, we visited the awesome Denver Zoo and ate lunch at Taste of Philly before hitting the road again for Salt Lake.  It was the perfect weekend visit.

Some of my favorite moments were just staying up late talking with Dan and Kristin, reading to the girls before bedtime, and Bria acting as our "waitress" at Sunday dinner.  

Matt reading to the girls on our second night.

Favorite prayers:

"Please bless that no one will scrape their knees"

- Sofia

"Please bless Uncle Matt and Aunt Taylor on their drive back that nothing will attack them."

- Bria

As we drove into our apartment's parking lot late on Monday night, we were a little surprised when we realized this was our first non-holiday trip together since we've been married!  Kind of embarrassing.  No worries, though, because we'll be in this city on Friday!

See you soon San Francisco!

Matt's face when he realized we'd be missing the Utah vs. BYU game this weekend:

Sorry, B.

Thanks Eaquinto Family for such a fun weekend! We love y'all.